Nintendo Trickles Out N64s

Nintendo of America slowly leaks small batches of its 64-bit units to U.S. retailers

By IGN Staff

Nintendo of America said today that additional shipments of Nintendo 64s have already come to the U.S. and are slowly trickling out to retailers across the country.

Earlier this month, N64.com interviewed several retailers who told consumers that the next big shipment would arrive in late October to early November, and was confirmed by Nintendo. The number of new units to ship would equal approximately 400,000 to 500,000, totaling 1 million to 1.5 million by the end of the year.

At the local level, K-B Toys and other retailers, however, have been receiving smaller batches (dolled out by their own HQ to each location in increments of about 10-15 units) every other week for at least one month, selling them out to whomever is luckiest when the machines arrive. Meanwhile, FAO Schwartz still has supplies, though it's selling the unit for $229 ($30 above MSRP).

Managers' stories on when the exact date of the next big shipment will come are varied, but it is generally agreed that by the end of October, supply will come close to demand -- a consumer perception strategically created by Nintendo. In the meantime, stores across California are receiving Nintendo 64s every other week, said an K-B Toys' manager in Sacramento.

NOA will announce its plans for completing its 1996 U.S. shipments later this week.